Week 6 Rants & Ranks
I covered a lot of the outside topics in yesterday's quick morning post, so let's jump right into the ranks...The Fave 5...
("Fab 5" just sounded contrived... plus, I get bored easily)
1. New England (6-0): They're on another planet right now. There's the Patriots... and then everybody else.
2. Indianapolis (5-0): The "Best of the Rest", as it were. That mega-clash on November 4th just got even bigger, now that New England just knocked off the 3rd head of the 3-headed undefeated beast. They've got a good test this week at the Jaguars, then a winnable game at Carolina. Then Armageddon.
2a. Colorado Rockies (21-1): Sorry, needs to be mentioned. I'll agree with Mark Schlereth (who is one of the ESPN NFL analysts I actually enjoy... he and Jaws) and say that the only team that has a chance to knock off either of the two teams atop this list is the Rockies, who seemingly forgot how to lose. Shame they're going to have to wait a week to play another game. Lot of time to sit around and reflect on what they've just accomplished... and get complacent.
3. Pittsburgh (4-1): Fresh off the bye week, they've got only one "loseable" game between now and December 9th @ New England - November 5th against Baltimore. What a weekend that's going to be: Pats @ Colts, Ravens @ Steelers, Dallas @ Philly. Yikes. I might not leave my house for two straight days.
4. Dallas (5-1): Not to say that they were exposed as frauds - they actually had a lead in the second half, something no other Patriots' opponent had done so far this year - it's just that the level of competition was so far above what they could handle that they looked bad in the process. They're still atop the NFC East (though only by one game after the Giants' renaissance), and they still have the best team in the NFC.
5. Jacksonville (4-1): I'll admit - I had no faith in them when they dumped Byron Leftwich. But they've performed well for the first 5 games of the year, almost doubling their opponents' scoring (100-58). And if they can hang tough or even beat the Colts in Jacksonville next week, I'll be very impressed.
Others receiving votes: Green Bay (need to show a better offense to be considered a threat), Tampa Bay (consistent offense, swarming defense... good formula), Kansas City (that's not a misprint... somehow they're atop the AFC West. For now).
The Foul 5...
5. Cincinnati (1-4): This can't last, can it? Another team scoring 25+ per game... and allowing 30+. Tough stretch coming up too - Jets, Steelers, @ Buffalo, @ Baltimore, Cardinals, Titans, @ Steelers. There's maybe two winnable games in there the way the Bengals are playing right now. At least they finish with four patsies (Rams, @Niners, Browns, @Dolphins).
4. New Orleans (1-4): The Saints Win! Holy Crap! The Saints Win! And even better - they had a lof of positives on offense, and even more on defense. Maybe they're not dead yet - in that division, they're actually only 3 games out.
3. Atlanta (1-5): Did I actually say they had a chance to put up big offensive numbers last night? After the first quarter they didn't score another point. 10 in the first, 0 in the final three. Solid balance there fellas.
2. Miami (0-6): The only reason I've got them ahead of the Rams is that Miami is actually scoring points - over 21 per game. Trouble is, they're allowing over 30.
5. Cincinnati (1-4): This can't last, can it? Another team scoring 25+ per game... and allowing 30+. Tough stretch coming up too - Jets, Steelers, @ Buffalo, @ Baltimore, Cardinals, Titans, @ Steelers. There's maybe two winnable games in there the way the Bengals are playing right now. At least they finish with four patsies (Rams, @Niners, Browns, @Dolphins).
4. New Orleans (1-4): The Saints Win! Holy Crap! The Saints Win! And even better - they had a lof of positives on offense, and even more on defense. Maybe they're not dead yet - in that division, they're actually only 3 games out.
3. Atlanta (1-5): Did I actually say they had a chance to put up big offensive numbers last night? After the first quarter they didn't score another point. 10 in the first, 0 in the final three. Solid balance there fellas.
2. Miami (0-6): The only reason I've got them ahead of the Rams is that Miami is actually scoring points - over 21 per game. Trouble is, they're allowing over 30.
1. St. Louis (0-6): Yikes. No offense (12 ppg), no defense (26.5 ppg). I said it yesterday - they'd better get a bounty in return for that #1 pick in 2008.
Others Receiving Votes: Chicago (anytime the Bears put up 31 points and lose... they're in trouble), San Francisco (even the return of Alex Smith ain't gonna help this team), NY Jets (Clemens is in the game by halftime this week... if not sooner).
Back with picks Friday/Saturday. I've got a hellish week, so they might just be quick with no real explanation. Which is good, so I won't overthink things. Maybe that's the problem...
Lata.
Labels: 2007, Best Ever?, I'm awful at this, NFL, Rants and Ranks, Your team is a sham
posted by Big D @ 7:16 AM
0 comments
